Anna Girl
Origin(s)
PronunciationAN-uh / ˈænəHebrew; Latin; Greek
Meaning
Hebrew: grace; Latin: favor; Greek: full of grace
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Anna has its roots in the Hebrew name חַנָּה (Channah), which means "grace" or "favor." This name was transliterated into Greek as Ἄννα (Anna) and subsequently adopted into Latin as Anna. The transition into English occurred through the Old French form Anne, which was prevalent in medieval England, particularly after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. The name has maintained its form and phonetics across these languages, reflecting its enduring appeal and simplicity.
Historically, Anna is associated with several significant figures, particularly in religious contexts. In the Christian tradition, Anna is recognized as the mother of the Virgin Mary, making her a prominent figure in the New Testament. This association is notably highlighted in the apocryphal Gospel of James, which dates back to the 2nd century. The name also appears in various forms in the Bible, contributing to its historical resonance. Additionally, Anna was a common name among early saints, further solidifying its place in Christian heritage.
Culturally, the name Anna has been embraced across various societies, often symbolizing grace and favor. Its simplicity and elegance have allowed it to transcend cultural boundaries, making it a timeless choice in many languages and traditions. In literature and art, Anna has been depicted in various forms, often embodying virtues such as kindness and compassion. The diminutive form "Annie" has also emerged in various cultures, reflecting a more intimate or affectionate version of the name, although Anna itself remains the more formal and widely recognized version.
Trend Summary
Anna has consistently remained a popular name in the United States, often ranking within the top 100 names for girls.
Similar Names
Variants
- Ana
- Ann
- Annie
International Variants
- Ana (Spanish)
- Anne (French)
- Anya (Russian)
- Hanna (German)
Famous people named Anna
Anna Kendrick is an actress and singer best known for Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air, and Into the Woods.
Anna Wintour is a journalist and editor best known for her role as editor-in-chief of Vogue and for The September Issue.
Anna Paquin is an actress best known for her roles in The Piano, True Blood, and X-Men.
Anna Faris is an actress and comedian best known for Scary Movie, The House Bunny, and Mom.
Anna Kournikova is a retired professional tennis player best known for her doubles success and her appearances in various media.
Anna Netrebko is an operatic soprano best known for her performances at the Metropolitan Opera and her recordings of classical music.
Anna Deavere Smith is an actress and playwright best known for her work in The West Wing, Nurse Jackie, and her documentary theater pieces.
Fictional characters named Anna
Anna is a fictional character from the animated film Frozen. She is the optimistic and adventurous sister of Elsa, the Snow Queen, who embarks on a journey to save her kingdom from eternal winter.
Anna is a fictional character from the novel Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. She is a tragic heroine who struggles with her desires and societal expectations in 19th-century Russia.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Anna was first seen in the United States in 1880. Anna has ranked as high as #19 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, California, Ohio, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Anna has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Anna (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
TX | 264 | |
CA | 237 | |
NY | 147 | |
PA | 140 | |
FL | 131 | |
OH | 108 | |
NC | 100 | |
GA | 99 | |
TN | 87 | |
VA | 85 | |
IL | 82 | |
AL | 71 | |
MA | 69 | |
IN | 69 | |
KY | 67 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 2,604 |
1881 | 2,698 |
1882 | 3,143 |
1883 | 3,306 |
1884 | 3,860 |
1885 | 3,994 |
1886 | 4,283 |
1887 | 4,227 |
1888 | 4,982 |
1889 | 5,062 |
1890 | 5,233 |
1891 | 5,099 |
1892 | 5,542 |
1893 | 5,695 |
1894 | 5,565 |
1895 | 5,950 |
1896 | 5,860 |
1897 | 5,429 |
1898 | 5,773 |
1899 | 5,115 |
1900 | 6,114 |
1901 | 4,923 |
1902 | 5,288 |
1903 | 5,098 |
1904 | 5,330 |
1905 | 5,424 |
1906 | 5,502 |
1907 | 5,575 |
1908 | 5,860 |
1909 | 5,804 |
1910 | 6,436 |
1911 | 6,753 |
1912 | 8,586 |
1913 | 9,687 |
1914 | 11,865 |
1915 | 15,119 |
1916 | 15,228 |
1917 | 15,160 |
1918 | 15,666 |
1919 | 14,498 |
1920 | 14,581 |
1921 | 14,476 |
1922 | 13,408 |
1923 | 12,865 |
1924 | 13,076 |
1925 | 12,250 |
1926 | 11,698 |
1927 | 11,215 |
1928 | 10,575 |
1929 | 9,750 |
1930 | 9,081 |
1931 | 8,429 |
1932 | 7,924 |
1933 | 7,072 |
1934 | 6,680 |
1935 | 6,162 |
1936 | 5,727 |
1937 | 5,450 |
1938 | 5,144 |
1939 | 4,929 |
1940 | 4,717 |
1941 | 4,432 |
1942 | 4,488 |
1943 | 4,231 |
1944 | 3,635 |
1945 | 3,607 |
1946 | 3,999 |
1947 | 4,238 |
1948 | 4,037 |
1949 | 3,897 |
1950 | 3,815 |
1951 | 3,870 |
1952 | 3,714 |
1953 | 3,837 |
1954 | 4,000 |
1955 | 4,090 |
1956 | 4,393 |
1957 | 4,442 |
1958 | 4,661 |
1959 | 4,878 |
1960 | 4,659 |
1961 | 4,677 |
1962 | 4,430 |
1963 | 4,255 |
1964 | 4,292 |
1965 | 3,920 |
1966 | 3,679 |
1967 | 3,727 |
1968 | 3,569 |
1969 | 3,721 |
1970 | 3,799 |
1971 | 3,578 |
1972 | 3,449 |
1973 | 3,507 |
1974 | 3,621 |
1975 | 3,578 |
1976 | 3,585 |
1977 | 3,852 |
1978 | 4,173 |
1979 | 4,669 |
1980 | 5,037 |
1981 | 5,192 |
1982 | 5,270 |
1983 | 5,218 |
1984 | 5,306 |
1985 | 5,885 |
1986 | 5,906 |
1987 | 6,169 |
1988 | 6,443 |
1989 | 6,899 |
1990 | 7,293 |
1991 | 7,118 |
1992 | 6,853 |
1993 | 6,812 |
1994 | 7,529 |
1995 | 8,569 |
1996 | 8,574 |
1997 | 8,342 |
1998 | 8,386 |
1999 | 9,115 |
2000 | 10,613 |
2001 | 10,592 |
2002 | 10,394 |
2003 | 9,463 |
2004 | 9,529 |
2005 | 9,110 |
2006 | 8,611 |
2007 | 7,900 |
2008 | 7,277 |
2009 | 6,818 |
2010 | 6,335 |
2011 | 5,672 |
2012 | 5,628 |
2013 | 5,396 |
2014 | 5,704 |
2015 | 5,149 |
2016 | 4,805 |
2017 | 4,574 |
2018 | 4,197 |
2019 | 3,845 |
2020 | 3,507 |
2021 | 3,078 |
2022 | 2,958 |
2023 | 2,931 |
2024 | 2,700 |